The Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative (WAIAI) has named Indian American Ajay Anand as one of two inaugural executives for a new program to bring industry-leading expertise into Wharton’s AI research and student initiatives.
Achim Welter, WG’08, Senior Director ERP, Digital & IT Strategy, The Hershey Company, was also named as inaugural Executive in Residence.
Each year, select executives from top organizations will work alongside faculty and students to bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI research and real-world industry challenges, according to a media release.
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Ajay Anand is currently the Senior Vice President of Global Services, Strategy & Business Services at Johnson & Johnson since February 1999. He brings more than 26 years of transformational leadership, driving strategic impact across consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and telecommunications. A dynamic force in business and technology, he has led global initiatives that redefine industries.
Prior to this, Anand worked at Hutchison Max Telecom from 1996 to 1998 as the Head of the Systems Department. Anand holds a Master of Business Administration from LeBow College of Business – Drexel University and a Masters in Computer Applications from Gujarat University.
Anand’s responsibilities include leading strategic planning, large corporate transformations, shared services leadership, acquisitions/divestitures, and more within J&J Global Services. At Hutchison Max Telecom, Anand led IT/systems strategy, program management, and innovation using systems.
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As a leader in Global Services, Ajay co-chairs the J&J Enterprise Intelligent Automation Council and the Data Management Council. Through various transformations, he and his team have delivered over US$3 billion in value creation and improved J&J’s ability to respond to business changes through a focus on employee experience, functional excellence, and efficiency across global functions.
Anand holds two master’s degrees – one in business administration from Drexel University in Philadelphia and the other in computer science from Gujarat University in India. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and two daughters.